Coved ceiling assembly and bracket means therefor



- Sept. 26,1967 I N. NETZ ETAL COVED CEILING ASSEMBLY AND BRACKET MEANSTHEREFOR Z5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 8, 1965 INVENTORS TZ, AN,

NolzMAu Ne EMANUEL D-BAuM EUGENE BRRANowsK|$SEYMouQ REEDMAN womgymemmATTORNEY Sept. 26, 1967 N. NE'II'Z.E'II'AL COVED CEILING ASSEMBLY ANDBRACKET MEANS THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Filed June a, 1965 3 INVENTORSNORMAN New-z,

y m b a Arm m m u m B e D E mmw ATTORNEY Scpt. 26, 1967 N. N ET Z ETALCO VED CEILING ASSEMBLY AND BRACKET MEANS THEREFOR Filed June 8, 1965 5Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS ATTORNEY N A w N m a aim N DWMM Namam MW a 12,n, 3 N W United States Patent 3,343,309 COVED CEILING ASSEMBLY ANDBRACKET MEANS THEREFOR Norman Netz, Bloomfield, Conn., Emanuel D.Baurnan, Loudonville, N .Y., and Eugene Baranowski, Forestv lle, andSeymour Freedman, West Hartford, Conn., assignors to Integrated Systems,Inc., Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed June 8, 1965,Ser. No. 462,381 4 Claims. (Cl. 5228) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A covedfixture support in a ceiling structure, the support having bracket meansmounted between spaced rails in the ceiling and including bracketelements spanning the distance between the rails.

This invention is directed to overhead ceilings and to fixtures employedin such ceilings. The invention is an improvement on subject matterdisclosed in our prior, co-pen'cling application Ser. No. 411,297, filedNov. 16, 1964.

Basic objectives of this invention include the provision of a ceiling ofthe type installed by suspension, from an overhead support,includingfixtures supported therein, wherein fixture mounting means is providedwhich permits application of the fixtures at selected locations on theceiling, and the means .being adaptable to variant fixture sizes. Afurther basic objective is the provision of a support hardware system,permitting the installation of upwardly coved electrical fixtures or thelike in existing suspended ceilingswwith only a minimum modification ofthe existing structure.

Another object of the invention is to supply a new and novel connectionbracket for the establishment of a joint in angularly related supportingmembers, the bracket being ofreadily bendable form whereby it is usuablein installations requiring changeable angularity of the elements.

Still another object resides in the provision of improved cross bracingfor extension between substantially parallel supports, the cross bracesbeing readily installed after installation of the supports, beingadapted to maintain the supports in parallel location, and beingarranged in use such that they do not detract from ceiling appearance.

A further object is to provide a ceiling fixture support system whereinthe components are fabricated from inexpensive, readily availablematerials, and one adapted for installation without special skills.

In the application of lighting fixtures and similar appliances inexisting overhead suspended ceilings, the situation is-occasionallyencountered that the original installation contains elementsof-non-uniform dimension. The present apparatus is adaptable for use insuch situations by non-complex modification of elements of thesupporting hardware.

' Additional objects and advantages will occur to those skilled in theart upon consideration of the following specification, when read inconjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE I is a perspective view of structure constructed and assembledthe teachings of this invention;

' FIGURE 2 is an end elevational tion of the ceiling;

FIGURE 3 is a disassembled perspective view of one type of supportintersection hereof;

a portion of ceiling in accordance with view through a sec- PatentedSept. 26, 1967 FIGURE 5 is an enlarged elevational view demonstrating inplace modification of the elements in phantom lines;

FIGURE 6 is a disassembled perspective view of another type ofintersection hereof, and the cross brace means;

'FIGURE 7 illustrates the brace as applied to a support (shown in dottedlines);

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view disclosing a novel end panel elementhereof;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged end elevation of the upper connection means ofthe end panel; and

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged sectional view showing details, takensubstantially on the line Ill-10 of FIG- URE 8, looking in the directionof the arrows.

With more specific reference to the drawings, the system hereof isgenerally designated therein by reference numeral 20. The system findsits primary intended environment in a suspended ceiling structure 22,such as that shown in FIGURE 1, which includes an overhead roof (notshown) and at least one pair of spaced apart, longitudinally extendingrail members 24, 26. A plurality of pairs of transverse rail members 28intersect the longitudinal rails, and paneling 30 is mounted between therail members. The rail members are suspended from the roof by cables 32.Each of the rail members is of inverted T- shape and is formed, as by aconventional metal bending operation, to include an upstanding leg 34and distal and proximal ledges 36, 38, respectively.

The rail members, arranged in an intersecting network, and supportingthe blocks 30 of ceiling material therebetween, co-operatively form aceiling structure disposed in substantially a common horizontal plane.

In the application of light fixtures and similar electrical appliancesin such ceilings, it is often desired to cove or upwardly space thefixture in respect to the general flatwise extent of the ceiling. Toaccomplish this fixture arrangement with minimum modification of theexisting ceiling and simplify and expedite the mounting of fixtures innewly constructed ceilings, the present invention provides a fixturesupport system 40.

The system 40 comprises a lower bracket means 42 (FIGURES 2-5)comprising lower brackets arranged in pairs or otherwise as describedbelow. Each lower bracket includes a generally rectangular, flat,central section 44 having inner and outer side edges 46, 48, oppositeend edges 50, 5 2, and being of a width between the side edges to extendacross the ledges of one of the rail members. Each of the side edges 46and 48 carries a guide lug 54 and a bendable connection ear 56, therespective lugs and ears being oppositely arranged as shown in FIG- URE3 whereby a lug is transversely opposite each ear. Thus, the rail ledgesare positioned on the section 44, and the ears are bent thereabout toconnect the bracket 42 to the rail. In most instances, this connectionwould be duplicated on a pair of rails and at a point of intersection oftransverse rails 28'.

For joining the brackets to brackets 42 include an outer support plate58 extending from the edge 48 of the plate 44 between the lug 54 and ear56 thereof. The outer support plate 58 is of flat, substantiallyrectangular form, and has lateral edges 60, 62 with an elongated flange64 on the edge 62 and a short flange 66 on the edge 60. In FIGURES 3 and4, it will be observed that the ends of the transverse rails 28 areformed with an inwardly angular terminal edge 68 on the leg 34, and aterminal upstanding flange 70 on the ledges. The plate 58 is of a widthfrom edge-to-edge to extend the transverse rails 28, the

3 across the ledges and the flanges 64, 66 are bent thereabout behindthe flange 70 thereby locking the bracket 42 to both the longitudinaland transverse rails at an intersection.

The brackets 42 further comprise an outer support plate 72 extended fromthe edge 46 of the central plate 44. The plate 72 includes lateral edges74, 76 with a short bendable flange 78 extending from the former and along flange 80 on the latter.

The support plates 58 and 72 are each adapted to bending with respect tothe central plate 44, whereby they may be positioned at selected angles.FIGURE discloses a bending operation, and in FIGURE 2, two possiblearrangements are disclosedat the right of that figure, the bracket beingshown as adapted for use in the installation of two side-by-sidefixtures, this is, with each of the support plates upwardly bent.

The formation of a cove mount for a fixture further involves a pluralityof side members 82 formed of the inverted T-stock of the rail members.Like the rail members, each side member has an upstanding leg 84 andledges 86, 88. The ends of the side member legs are inwardly angled asat '90 to permit angular relation of the side members to a rail withoutinterference, and the side members have end flanges 92 to aid in thebracket connections.

The side members include a bottom end 94 and a top end 96 and the bottomends are engaged by the outer support plates 72 of the lower bracketswith the flanges 78 and 80 engaged about the ledges 86 and 88. In theevent that two side-by-side cove mountings are desired as shown inFIGURES l and 2, both the inner and outer support plates of anintermediate bracket 98 engage side members, and each is upwardly bentwith respect to the central member.

For each fixture or longitudinal row thereof to be installed, a pair ofupper longitudinal rails 100 and 102 is supplied which may be suspendedfrom the roof if convenient, or merely supported by the brackets hereof.The upper rails are connected to the side members 82 by upper bracketmeans 104 best shown in FIGURE 6. As in the case of the bracket, theupper brackets are mounted in opposite pairs and each comprises alongitudinal rail support plate 106 of substantially rectangular form.The plate 106 has an inner edge 108 and outer edge 110 and spaced apart,bendable lips 112 are provided thereon. The plate 106 underlies the rail100 or 102 and the lips 112 are reverted about the ledges thereof.Extended from the edge 110 between the lips 112 thereof is a side plate114 for engagement with the top end 96 of one of the rail members 82.The plate 114 has marginal edges 116, 118 and is downwardly andoutwardly inclined at any selected angle to meet the side memberinclination. Bendable tabs 120, 122 are provided and are bent about theledges 86 and 88.

For the positive spacing of the upper rails 100, 102, and to obviate anypossibility of a fixture supported therebetween being dislodgedaccidentally, the invention comprehends the provision of new and novelcross brace elements 124 employed at spaced locations along the rail. InFIGURES 6 and 7, it is seen that each element 124 comprises anelongated, flat, substantially rectangular strap 126 with end edges 128,130, and of a length between the end edges to extend across the rails100, 102 with the end edges generally aligned with the inner sides ofthe ledges of the rails. A pair of bendable securing elements 132 isprovided on each end and a tongue 134 extends outwardly therebetween.The tongue has reverted tip elements 136 for engagement about the railouter ledges whereby the braces are secured to the rails in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 7.

Fixtures 138, such as fluorescent lamps, are mounted between the rails100, 102 and may extend the full length of a ceiling, or if desired, bearranged in spaced coves. In the latter case, an end panel arrangement(FIGURES 8 through 10) is employed for closing the ends of the cove. Thepanel 140 is of generally triangular form and has a base 142 formed inthe manner of the rail members whereby bracket means may be employed toconnect it to the longitudinal rail. The sides of the panel havereverted flanges 144 providing a connection for a section of thepaneling 30, the sides terminating at their upper ends in an extendedconnection means comprising a tab 146 for bending about the ledge of theupper rail adjacent thereto.

Various manners of installation and employment of the apparatus hereofwill occur to those skilled in the art from a consideration of theabove. Having thus described and illustrated the invention it will beunderstood that this description and illustration is offered only by wayof example, and that the invention is to be limited in scope only by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an overhead ceiling construction which includes at least one pairof spaced longitudinal rails, a coved fixture support assemblycomprising:

bracket means engaging the longitudinal rails at spaced locations insubstantially transverse pairs;

the bracket means comprising sections with edges and bendable connectionears on said edges;

side members supported by the bracket means in upwardly inclinedpositions;

upper bracket means secured to each of the side members;

longitudinally extending upper rails secured to the upper brackets insubstantially parallel pairs;

cross brace means extending between the upper rails at selectedintervals;

the cross brace means comprising elongated straps having ends, andhaving securing elements on said ends for engagement with the upperrails; and fixtures mounted between the upper rails.

2. In an overhead ceiling construction which includes at least one pairof spaced longitudinal rails, and a plurality of transverse rails, acoved fixture support assembly comprising:

bracket means engaging the longitudinal rails at spaced locations intransverse pairs, and engaging adjacent transverse rails; the bracketmeans comprising a central section having side edges, bendableconnection ears on the side edges, the central section being disposedagainst one of the longitudinal rails with the ears bent thereabout, asupport plate extending from the central section, and bendable flangeson the support plate;

side members supported by the bracket means in upwardly inclinedposition, the support plate of the bracket means engaging one of theside mem ers with the flanges bent thereabout;

upper brackets secured to each of the side members;

longitudinally extending upper rails secured to the upper brackets insubstantially parallel pairs;

cross brace means extending between the upper rails at selectedintervals, the cross brace means comprising an elongated strap havingends, bendable securing elements on the ends of the strap, a tongueprojecting outwardly from each of the ends and having a reverted tipengaged on the upper rails, and the securing elements being bent aboutthe upper rails; and

fixtures mounted between the upper rails.

3. In an overhead ceiling construction which includes a roof structure,at least one pair of spaced apart, longitudinally extending railmembers, plural pairs of transverse rail members secured to thelongitudinally extending rail members at spaced intersections, each ofthe rail members being of inverted T-shape and having an upstanding legand distal and proximal ledges on opposite sides of the leg, hangercables secured to the legs and to the roof structure to suspend the railmembers in a network, and the rail members supporting horizontallyarranged blocks of ceiling material between selected ledges forming aceiling disposed substantially in a given plane; a coved lightingfixture and support assembly comprising:

(I) lower means:

the lower bracket means comprising oppositely arranged pairs ofbrackets, each bracket including a substantially rectangular centralsection including inner and outer side edges and end edges, and of awidth from edge-to-edge to extend across the ledges of one of thelongitudinally extending rail members; oppositely arranged pairs ofguide lugs and connection ears extending from the central section; theconnection ears being reverted about the ledges to connect the centralsection to the rail members; an outer support plate extending from theouter side edges of the central section, the outer support plate havinglateral edges with bendable flanges thereon including an elongatedflange and a short flange; the outer support plate being of a width fromedgeto-edge to extend across the ledges of a transverse rail member, andunderlying said member; the flanges of the outer support plate beingreverted about the ledges of the transverse rail members; an innersupport plate secured to the central section at the inner side edgethereof, the inner support plate being extended upwardly from thecentral section at a selected angle; the inner support plate havinglateral edges With bendable flanges thereon, including a short flangeand a long flange; the flanges of the inner support plate being arrangedoppositely With respect to the flanges of the outer support plates; (II)side members:

the side members being of elongated, inverted T- form, including legsand outward ledges; the side members being arranged in pairs and havingbottom and top ends; the bottom ends being engaged on the inner supportplates of the lower brackets, and the flanges of said inner supportplates being extended about the ledges thereof; (III) upper bracketmeans:

the upper bracket means including a plurality of brackets arranged inpairs; each upper bracket having a longitudinal rail engagement platewith an inner edge and an outer edge;

the inner and outer edges having bendable lips thereon;

a downwardly and outwardly inclined side plate connected to the outeredge of the rail support plate;

the side plate having marginal edges with bendable tabs thereon;

the side plate underlying the side member top ends and the tabs beingengaged about the ledge thereof;

(IV) upper longitudinal rail members arranged in a spaced apart pair andengaged by the longitudinal rail engagement plates, each rail memberhaving inner and outer ledges, the ledges having side edges;

(V) cross brace means at selected intervals extending between the upperlongitudinal rail;

the cross brace means comprising a plurality of elongated, substantiallyrectangular, flat straps with end edges;

each strap being of a length between the end edges to extend between theouter side edges of the inner ledges thereof;

bendable securing elements extending outwardly from the end edges of thestrap and connected over the outer ledges of the upper longitudinalrails;

a tongue projecting outwardly between the securing elements, underlyingthe ledges of the upper longitudinal rails;

each tongue having a tip element reverted over the outer ledge; and

(VI) elongated fixture housing means supported between the outer ledgesof the upper longitudinal rails and on the cross brace means.

4. The invention of claim 3, and

an end panel supported between the longitudinal rails, the end panelhaving connection means therein for securing it to the upperlongitudinal rail.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES TheArchitectural Forum, February 1946, pp. 98 and 99 relied on.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

M. O. WARNECKE, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN AN OVERHEAD CEILING CONSTRUCTION WHICH INCLUDES AT LEAST ONE PAIROF SPACED LONGITUDINAL RAILS, A COVED FIXTURE SUPPORT ASSEMBLYCOMPRISING: BRACKET MEANS ENGAGING THE LONGITUDINAL RAILS AT SPACEDLOCATIONS IN SUBSTANTIALLY TRANSVERSE PAIRS; THE BRACKET MEANSCOMPRISING SECTIONS WITH EDGES AND BENDABLE CONNECTION EARS ON SAIDEDGES; SIDE MEMBERS SUPPORTED BY THE BRACKET MEANS IN UPWARDLY INCLINEDPOSITIONS; UPPER BRACKET MEANS SECURED TO EACH OF THE SIDE MEMBERS;LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING UPPER RAILS SECURED TO THE UPPER BRACKETS INSUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL PAIRS; CROSS BRACE MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN THEUPPER RAILS AT SELECTED INTERVALS; THE CROSS BRACE MEANS COMPRISINGELONGATED STRAPS HAVING ENDS, AND HAVING SECURING ELEMENTS ON SAID ENDSFOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE UPPER RAILS; AND FIXTURES MOUNTED BETWEEN THEUPPER RAILS.